EFFECTS OF MILK FEEDING ON BLOOD GLUCOSE AND UREA LEVELS OF WEST AFRICAN DWARF (FOUTA DJALLON) KIDS.

Abstract

SIXTEEN West African dwarf (Fouta Djallon) kids were maintained on four dietary treatments from the 4th day to 52 weeks of age in order to study the concentrations of glucose and urea in the plasma with advancing age_ The diet comprised fresh cow's milk and fresh goat's milk supplemented with chop­ped giant star grass (Cynodon nlemfuensis var robustus) plus creep and post-creep feeds. Post-absorption glucose concentration was generally higher than the pre-feeding level in all treatment groups. Glucose concentrations in the plasma were generally higher when kids were on milk feeding than when milk feeding was stopped. Kids on ad. lib. milk feeding had higher plasma glucose concentration one hour before and after feeding and grew faster than those on restricted amounts of milk feeding. This however tended to level off by the 52nd week of age. The concentration of glucose in the plasma declined consistently with age across all treatment groups. Kids consuming goat's milk showed a tendency for lower urea concentration in the plasma than those consuming cow's milk.